COLUMBUS - The Ohio State Highway Patrol commissioned 38 new troopers at a ceremony held today at the Patrol’s Training Academy.

The Patrol’s 143rd Academy Class graduated today after 25 weeks of rigorous law enforcement training. Kenneth L. Morckel, Director, Ohio Department of Public Safety; Gary F. Joseph, Assistant Director, Ohio Department of Public Safety; Colonel Paul D. McClellan, Patrol superintendent; and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O’Connor, all addressed the graduates and presented their commissions and certificates of training.

Among the courses completed by the 143rd class completed included firearms, traffic and criminal laws, self-defense, and crash investigation training. Cadets also drove on the new performance track at the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy (OPOTA) in London.

Tpr. Timothy K. Bullock of Athens was selected class speaker and thanked the Academy staff, family, and friends for their support during the training period.

Seven of the graduates received special honors for top performance in various fields of study at the Patrol Academy. The honorees are:

Each of the newly commissioned troopers will report to their posts on Monday, June 6. The troopers’ first 60 working days will be a field-training period under the guidance of a veteran officer. The new troopers are assigned to 19 of the Patrol’s 55 posts.

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